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Fake war is hell, to organize

He's Gen. Hardy during battle, but director and choreographer in the weeks before.

By LOGAN NEILL, Times Staff Writer
Published January 18, 2008

Mike Hardy, partially dressed in his Confederate uniform, is the commander of the Brooksville Raid. Re-enactors were busy Thursday afternoon setting up for the 28th annual Brooksville Raid and Hardy has been busy planning the event.

[Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

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[Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

Terrie Cobart, 51, puts up his Marianna Sutler trading tent after a storm blew it down.

[Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

Norman Scott, of Quakertown, Pa., secures a tent. He owns a company that sells Civil War reproductions.

Gen. Mike Hardy can certainly identify with legendary film director Cecil B. DeMille. For the past eight years, he has been responsible for overseeing the Brooksville Raid's "cast of thousands." From outlining troop encampments to directing battlefield traffic, it's a massive job that requires a measure of patience, tact and resourcefulness.

"I guess you could say I'm part choreographer, part timekeeper," said the 56-year-old Hardy, who lives near Mount Dora. "Mostly what I try to do is keep 3,000 people happy."

Hardy's challenge involves not only putting on a good show for the spectators; he also needs to think about providing a worthwhile experience for the volunteer soldiers, many of whom travel great distances to take part in the battle. And Hardy has discovered that keeping people out of the limelight doesn't make for happy troops.

"Nobody wants to be part of the stage crew," Hardy said.

Hardy's plans also take into account personality clashes and the fact that some brigades prefer not to fight alongside each other.

One good thing is that the raid location - with its flat, open battlefield - offers ample space. Hardy has several battlefield scenarios he can plan, depending on the number of re-enactors who show up. Using maps and diagrams taken from history books, he tries to devise troop movements that allow spectators a panoramic view of the action. Unlike real Civil War battles, which could take hours, even days, Hardy's men must accomplish their skirmish in about 90 minutes.

"It can get tricky sometimes because some of these guys will take all day to fight if you let them," he said. "The public, on the other hand, wants a fast-paced show with lots of action and noise. Somehow I have to find a balance between the two."

Hardy's interest in the Civil War led to him take up re-enacting nearly 30 years ago. In addition to serving as coordinator of several re-enactments in Florida, he also commands a 600-soldier Confederate unit called Hardy's Brigade.

"It's a fun hobby because you're always around friends and family wherever you go," Hardy said. "Re-enactors take pride in being able to present the Civil War in a respectful and dignified manner. The public may come to watch it for the show, but to the soldiers it goes a lot deeper."

With the possibility of this year having one of the largest re-enactor turnouts in the Brooksville Raid's 27-year history, Hardy says his greatest challenge is likely to revolve around safety. Although accidents are rare, the risk increases with the number of people swarming onto a battlefield.

"It's not a hobby for the weak of heart," Hardy said. "It can get very chaotic very quickly. I'm always on the lookout for things not going the way they're supposed to."